Trump suggests eliminating FEMA during disaster area tour

Trump criticized FEMA, calling it “very bureaucratic” and “very slow.”

President Donald Trump visited disaster-stricken areas in California and North Carolina on Friday, where he floated the idea of dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This suggestion marked a significant indication of his broader consideration of fundamental changes to the nation’s primary disaster response agency.

In California, ravaged by devastating wildfires, Democratic leaders urged Trump to provide much-needed federal assistance, despite his previous threats to withhold aid. Setting aside political differences, some even commended him in an effort to secure support. Trump, meanwhile, called on local officials to expedite rebuilding efforts by waiving permitting requirements, promising that federal approvals would be fast-tracked to facilitate reconstruction.

Rather than routing federal disaster aid through FEMA,  President Donald Trump proposed that Washington should distribute funds directly to the states. He shared this idea while visiting North Carolina, which continues to recover months after Hurricane Helene, during his first trip of his second term. Trump criticized FEMA, calling it “very bureaucratic” and “very slow.”

In California, Trump was welcomed by Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and frequent critic of the former president. Despite their contentious history, the two engaged in an amicable exchange and discussed ways to collaborate on recovery efforts.

“We’re going to need your support. We’re going to need your help,” Newsom said, referencing Trump’s assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t forget that, and I have all the expectations we’ll be able to work together to get a speedy recovery.”

This was not the first time Newsom has acknowledged Trump’s cooperation. Early in the coronavirus pandemic, Newsom had described Trump as “thoughtful” and “collaborative.”

During his California visit, Trump surveyed the devastation from Marine One before landing in Pacific Palisades, a community heavily impacted by wildfires. Alongside First Lady Melania Trump, he walked through streets where every home had been reduced to ash, speaking with residents and first responders. Observing the destruction firsthand, Trump remarked on the magnitude of the disaster, calling it “devastation” and “an incineration,” and predicted that the fires could become some of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history.

Despite the cooperative tone during his meeting with Newsom, Trump’s earlier rhetoric painted a different picture. En route to Los Angeles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt used Trump’s disparaging nickname for the governor, “Newscum,” accusing him of failing his state and framing Trump’s visit as a way to pressure officials “to do right by their citizens.”

Trump also insisted that residents in Los Angeles whose homes were destroyed should be allowed to return to their properties immediately to begin cleanup efforts. However, he downplayed concerns about hazardous materials, dismissing them as overblown.

“What’s hazardous waste? We’re going to have to define that,” Trump remarked, interrupting Mayor Karen Bass as she explained the city’s efforts to balance safety with expedited rebuilding. His comments echoed his longstanding dismissal of asbestos risks. In his 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, Trump praised asbestos as “the greatest fireproofing material ever used” and dismissed health concerns, attributing opposition to mob-driven interests in asbestos removal.

Before arriving in California, Trump reiterated his intent to demand concessions from the state in exchange for federal disaster aid. He suggested tying assistance to water policy reforms and voter ID requirements, reinforcing his broader vision of reducing the federal government’s role in disaster management.

“I’d like to see the states take care of disasters,” Trump stated while in North Carolina. “Let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen.”

This stance aligns with Trump’s broader critique of FEMA and conservative proposals to curtail federal involvement in disaster response.

President Donald Trump announced that Michael Whatley, a North Carolina native and chair of the Republican National Committee, would lead recovery efforts in the state. Trump emphasized that Whatley, despite holding no formal government position, would be “very much in charge” of addressing lingering frustrations over the federal response to Hurricane Helene.

FEMA plays a critical role in disaster recovery, stepping in when states request a presidential emergency declaration due to overwhelming damage. The agency provides financial support for recovery efforts such as debris removal and offers temporary aid to affected residents. However, Trump has been vocal in criticizing the previous administration, particularly former President Joe Biden, for its handling of Helene’s aftermath in North Carolina. Speaking to reporters before departing the White House on Friday, Trump described the situation as “a horrible thing” that was “allowed to fester” since the hurricane struck in September, vowing, “We’re going to get it fixed up.”

During his visit to a small town in western North Carolina, Trump listened to residents recount harrowing stories of wading through waist-deep floodwaters to escape their homes, fearing for their lives. Many are still grappling with insurance claims as they attempt to rebuild. “We’ve come to North Carolina with a simple message,” Trump said. “You are not forgotten any longer. You were treated very badly by the previous administration.”

Although FEMA has distributed $319 million in financial aid to residents, many still feel abandoned as they struggle to recover. Trump used his visit to reiterate criticism of California’s water management policies, which he claimed—without evidence—had exacerbated recent wildfires. He suggested investigating how water usage might have prevented fires, stating, “We’re going to take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow.”

In Los Angeles, Trump engaged in heated discussions with members of Congress and local officials from both parties. Michael Coen, a former FEMA chief of staff during the Biden administration, criticized Trump’s comments, calling them “misinformed.” Coen stressed the vital role FEMA plays in helping states overwhelmed by disasters, warning against attaching political conditions to federal aid. “The American people expect the federal government to be there for them on their worst day, no matter where they live,” Coen said.

Trump recently appointed Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL with limited experience in disaster management, as FEMA’s acting director, sparking additional concerns about the agency’s future leadership.

The visit also reignited debates about climate change, an issue Trump has repeatedly dismissed. Both Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires have been linked to climate change. According to a study by World Weather Attribution, climate change increased Helene’s rainfall by 10%, while California’s record-dry fall and winter heightened the region’s vulnerability to wildfires. Despite these findings, Trump has downplayed the role of climate change and instead focused on state-level policies as the root cause of these disasters.